Two People for Warmth

Production ShellTAs are longer than this prototype.

In an emergency (or just to have lunch out of the rain) two people can sit down side by side in the ShellTA. This is remarkably cosy. Tuck the fabric beneath you to help prevent the fabric from flapping but allow a small amount of ventilation.

To minimise heat loss reduce contact with the ground and sit on something insulating (eg sit mat, rope or sack). Huddle together to minimise your surface area and use all the insulation you have before you start to feel cold.

Each person gets a zipped window for venting or to admire the view!?

Do you recommend using the ShellTA with overtousers?

ShellTA over FurTech Trousers

One of the advantages of using the ShellTA as a poncho is that it’s easy to pull it over your head to protect your body and legs, rather than struggle into over-trousers. This is particularly useful in sudden heavy rain and occasional squalls.

How much of your legs it covers depends on how tall you are, but even very tall people can often get away with just protecting their lower legs with gaiters.

In persistent bad weather or wintry conditions it is prudent to use overtrousers or water resistant softshell trousers beneath the ShellTA to keep the inevitable condensation at bay. In summer rain try using the ShellTA over shorts to stay cool.

ShellTA and Pile / Pertex

Pile / pertex softshells rely on being (relatively) warm when wet and quick drying. Body heat helps push moisture outwards when you are on the move, but this can seep back in when you stop and begin to cool. They can also be a tad warm as you climb out of the valley, even though their insulation is appreciated on cold and blustery tops.

The ShellTA adds an extra dimension to a Pile Pertex system, adding an option for warm and wet conditions, very wet conditions and providing shelter when you stop… all for less weight than a typical waterproof jacket and trousers.

A Buffalo sleeping bag system will also benefit from the ShellTA, used as a tarp for wet weather bivis.

Why not use press studs down the sides?

We decided to use zips to keep the wind out when using it in bothy mode and to provide a better seal in bivi bag mode. They make it a much more versatile product that can defend against really bad weather.

(Take care when using it as a poncho in high winds!… especially in rocky or precipitous terrain.)

Making a large tarp

Two ShellTas can be zipped together to make a large sheet about 280cm by 260cm. It can then be pegged out like a tarp. However, care must be taken not to put undue tension across the zips and this large expanse of fabric benefits from more than two treking poles as support. That said, a number of years ago on the Haute Route, we used two ShellTAs to accommodate four of us with just one trekking pole and several ice axes. At that time the zips didn’t match (they were prototypes) so we just overlapped them in the middle. We used them twice, the second time at over 3000m.

How have you supported the corners in the photos?

I’ve placed rounded rocks beneath two corners to provide more usable space inside. Make sure that there are no sharp edges to damage the fabric. It’s often possible to find rounded rocks near a water coarse.

Why use it as a bivi bag? Isn’t a tarp more comfortable?

A tarp provides much more living space than a bivi bag and is generally more comfortable to use. However, it’s easier to use a bivi bag on ledges, in caves,in snow holes or in high winds. And sometimes, when heavy rain is unlikely, it’s simpler and easier to use a bivi bag… and fall asleep watching the stars.

What colour is it available in?

The ShellTA is only available in Red, which is good for emergency mountain bivis.

How long should the guy lines be?

I cut my guylines quite long at 2.5 to 3m on the basis that it is easy to shorten them (or cut them in two for other things). I put a large figure of eight on the bite in each end to larks foot onto the a tie in point and for the peg. I often use the same guyline from two tie in points, one of which must be tied.

(The length and number of your guy lines depends on how you prefer to pitch your ShellTA.)

How should I tie a suspension cord to the hood?

First wrap the drawcord over the top of the hood and cinch it in. Then larks foot a loop in the end of the guy line around the hood below the cord lock. This stops any water getting in the hood and transmits the tension through the long collar seam through the fabric.